Rep. Tom Reed applauded the water infrastructure project funding allocated to the Army Corps of Engineers in the recently passed consolidated appropriations bill.
Army Corps funding saw a ten percent increase from last year’s funding, for a total of $5.5 billion.
At Reed’s request, Army Corps of Engineers Brigadier General Margaret Burcham made a site visit to Chautauqua County for a tour of priority water sites and Reed took the opportunity to advocate for local projects.
“ Dredging, combating invasive species, flood control and environmental restoration are all priority water projects in our backyard that stand to benefit from the funding ,” Reed said. “ I have high hopes that the additional funding, coupled with the Army Corps Brigadier General’s visit and the water legislation currently being negotiated, we have positioned our area well for some real progress in the next year. We’ve done the leg work to get major stakeholders and decision makers around the table and on the ground to see the projects, now it is time to continue advocating for our area and get these projects across the finish line .”
Last month, Reed welcomed the Army Corps Brigadier General to Chautauqua County for a series of water project visits including Chautauqua Lake, Dunkirk Harbor and Cattaraugus Creek.
The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to facilitate waterway infrastructure improvements and environmental restoration, is an opportunity to see those projects expedited. That bill passed the House overwhelmingly in October and the House and Senate are now working to resolve differences and get a final bill to the President.
“ The appropriations bill we passed presented us with a unique opportunity: prioritize the projects and programs we’ve been fighting for while saving taxpayers $21 billion dollars this year alone – two major goals of our office ,” Reed continued. “We can care for and prioritize our waterways to protect local jobs, trade, manufacturing and tourism and at the same time reduce Washington’s spending. It’s important we deliver on district priorities and still save taxpayers their hard-earned dollars .”
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Press Release, January 23, 2014